One Thousand Gifts

Inspired by the Hunsucker Family and therefore Ann, the originator of the concept of the one thousand gifts, I have decided to join in with giving my own personal list of 1000 gifts of gratitude. Please read here on Ann's site for further explanation on the specifics. It would seem that many would start something like this during November when we are all thinking of giving thanks. However, I felt it would be good to start now during my time of waiting on the Lord for answers on our pending adoption along with other unspoken aspects we are taking before the Lord. I pray that within this time I spend to see the wonderful blessings the Lord grants me daily that I will remain grounded in faithfulness to the responsibilities that the Lord has already given me such great privilege to!

1. Caleb, 8 years old, who is not too old to find comfort during sickness by cuddling with his Mama while twirling my hair between his fingers.
2. the birds song in the morning that give hope to new life and spring arriving soon
3. music that can soothe an anxious heart and bring calm to a child's energetic soul. The music is playing on my site. I never intended on adding music but, while at Ann's site Caleb fell in love with the music and asked if he could go to sleep with it playing.
4. tears, as without them there would be no season of joy
5. uncertainty, for it is during that time I find I rely the most on Jesus rather than my own understanding.
6. hardship, so that I stop and take time to grow
7. chocolate chip cookies from a special friend that reminds me I am loved
8. older child reading to a younger sibling reminding me that progress is continually made
9. Jared and dh worshiping with instruments together for the first time (papa on guitar, Jared on piano playing, "Our God is an Awesome God")
10. our family breaking out spontaneously in acappella worship --my heart is especially warmed by hearing the praises being lifted up with five year old little voices
11. piano keys that are plucked daily by children without perfection =)
12. being showered with cards by so many on my birthday
13. an interruption from a child who wants only Mama to read a book to her
14. the mistake done of a child that then allows me the opportunity to correct, mold and encourage that child that he can do it right and become the child of God he was meant to be regardless of his start in life
15. faith like a child -our boys are convinced that we are going to Ukraine no matter what I tell them the circumstances are at this time.
16. coconut milk from a fresh coconut
17. watching my girls enjoy playing with a musical baby doll I had growing up
18. warm blankets on a cold northeast night
19. the soft, yet confident, touch of my husband's hands to comfort me
20. my twins' beautiful, long hair freshly cleaned after their bath
21. no inhibitions! Phoebe frequently freely sings and dances on the fireplace hearth as if no one else in the world exists. She doesn't even know I notice from afar ;)
22. Watching Chloe sit in a quiet corner with her Bible, flipping pages and gazing intently, even though she cannot read the words.
23. three yellow crocuses that came up just before the next snow fall
24. finding out that the facilitator currently holding our dossier in Ukraine to be submitted is "Aunt" Ilona who helped our boys come home from Mykolayiv in '99.
25. excitement (and calmness) of my children's new fish tank in our home.
26. having friends from afar, with a deep passion for lost souls, that can bring you encouraging words and a Christ like example - thank you Phyllis and Shannon :-)
27. 97.5% of our missions budget raised-- we are almost there!!!
28. receiving a special letter in the mail from my sister
29. a new beginning for Benaiah
30. the warmth of my calico cat lying across my arms as I type
31. snow falling causing me to be amazed at God's creation and giving me that sense that HE is in control of all things